Hi Fran! I tried to keep the layout of my protopage as simple as possible. Each of my assignments and pages are labeled with tabs. I hope you find it easy to use! Thanks! Kristen Harris

Reflection of Competencies on the k12 website: I think that when looking into becoming a teacher step one is to know with absolutely what is expected of us as a teacher in this state. This webpage delivers some guidelines on what we as ECE teachers are asked to teach. I think that one area on this page that is incredibly important and often overlooked is regarding the arts in the ECE classroom. I think that too often the main focus is on assessment and the other aspects are overlooked. Children need the opportunity to play and to express themselves. Children through play strengthen all sorts of important areas like fine motor and socially fitting in, learning group cooperation and other valuable skills. This website and this sheet tells me that it is some what encouraging to allow and encourage children to express themselves through the arts. Very young children often do not have the ability to express themselves through writing, however, they can express themselves through drawing, painting, building....etc. 9.1.2 says that children need to understand the ways that the arts impact and interact with learning and development. I think that this is crucial, children will benefit from the understanding that art will help them grow and develop.

When I was reading this article, I noticed that there is so much in it that I can apply to my own classroom, for instance in this article they mention all the ways that ELL (English Language Learners) are being included and excluded in the classrooms today. I feel like in order to really be an effective teacher in the early childhood literate classroom I need to be aware of ways that I can integrate activities that will include every student in my classroom. When planning activities and classroom projects, all too often students are pigeon hole in the classroom o fit a certain mold. When teachers are setting up classroom plans, sometimes the ELL students are forgotten. One way that this problem can help to be alleviated is to make sure that teachers know their students and they plan activities that represent the children in their class. If I had a Chinese student in the class, I would make sure to celebrate the Chinese New Year in February. Or if I had a Mexican student I would be sure to work Cinco de Mayo into my curriculum. The key is to make sure that every child feels welcome and an active member in my classroom.

The Stages of Language Development Reflection: I feel like to really be an effective ECE classroom teacher my job first and foremost is to really get to know my students, part of this is to obviously understand where my students are at and the other part is to really understand what types of children I am really teaching. This could include their home life as well as what they like to do and their cultural background. Children develop language in a number of different ways. According to research this process begins prenatally, and continues forever. There are 'benchmarks' but to be honest it is important to understand that every child is different and every child is going to develop at a different rate, and progress differently. When looking through this article, it was easy to see the similarities between babies and ELL students. ELL students are going to need time to acquire their language skills, just the way that children are silent before they gain the ability to speech. Once they have gained the ability to speak the next most important thing for us as teachers to do is realize that children need to be in an environment that supports their needs and so if they are not comfortable speaking. We need to give them time to develop their skills. When I continued to read I also saw that the trends continued well into their language acquisition process and into their fully developed language days.

In every classroom the enviornment is key to the child's success. I believe that the way that a classroom is set up can influence the way to which a student will learn. There are many aspects to the enviornment. Children need to feel safe and comfortable in the classroom. Some aspects of the enviornment include: *A safe, inviting room *Well lit *A well laid out classroom *Labels *Library * Quiet areas *Lighting that is condusive to the enviornment * Music *Natural things *Learning stations *Diverse enviornment *Exposure to letters and words constantly

EWU Childhood Center Visit Observation: When we went to the day care center on campus I was very interested in what I saw while I was there. I saw four different age group classrooms, and all very different. As this is an early literacy class, my main focus was looking for how the center integrates literacy into this institution. What I saw was somewhat surprising. I noticed that in the infant room there was really no literature, there was, from what I saw a book or two. At this age I saw more use of calming music, than I did books. I think children starting at birth ought to be read to. When I went to the toddler room there were a few books however, they were mostly out of the students reach. I feel like this sends a message to kids that books are off limits, and that they are not to be touched. Ever in the older classrooms like early elementary classroom there were some classrooms there were only a few books. In a classroom I think that it is important to show kids that books are something to be used and read. That they are accessible and a powerful tool.

Classroom Aspects: In a well set up Early Childhood Classroom a number of things are nessessary. As this class is focused around early literacy I have chosen items that I feel like will also be crucial for a literacy focused early classroom. They include: *Books (lots, and at many different levels, and at every genre) *Natural light, a lot of windows so that there is a lot of light *Comfertable seating *Lamps *Carpet *Everything needs to be labeled *Orginization *Child leveled *Space to move *Marked areas *Quiet areas *Writing promoted (children need access to writing tools) *Word Walls *Posters *Journal writing/drawing *Colors *Bilingual options

Class List on Principles and Beliefs: *Children need guidance *Children need plaenty of resources available to them *big brothers/ big sisters *library trips *match books to class units *literacy party- dress up like your favorite character *scholastic book fairs *learn about other cultures and traditions *open door policy *reading log *icdl.org *buy books *read at children programs *reading log *constant parent communication and involvement *make ELL students feel welcome and involved *learn a few key words in the child's home language *read books that ELL students will relate to *connect activities with books *label everything *a day or 1/2 day filled with learning, singing, and games about literacy and authors and characters *books on tape *Always have a variety of books available/different genres

Reflection on this topic: Although this is a very comprehensive list I feel that it may be somewhat limiting also, I think that there are only a few key principles and they were not touched on in this list. I feel that all children really need support. Children are all in need of being cared for by competent and nurturing adults. I think that a commonality that exists between early education teachers is the understanding that children need support. This can mean physical, emotional, spiritual, and other types of support. I think that another principle that is also incredibly important is the idea that every child is special, unique and can learn. I understand that every child is going to have different needs, but I think that it is our job to see this for what it is, a benefit and a positive, and not to see it as a burden or a problem. Finally, I feel that in order to be a truly special leader in the lives of children I need to try and make sure that every child in my classroom feels included and validated, and most importantly, loved.

Other Groups: Each group took their topic and ran with it in their own unique way. I loved that the groups all brought in their own support and ideas to compliment their presentations. In the two weeks that we were in class there were six presentations. There were aspects of each that I really liked, as well as some areas that I personally would have introduced in a different way than they did. I was absolutely blown away by the group #4. I thought that the amount of time and effort that went into their presentation was obvious and excellent. I loved that Monika brought in her grandma, how special! I thought that every member of that group was very well informed and appropriate in their delivery of the information. The group that did the ‘insect theme’ was also very well planned and executed. I loved the ‘Very Hungry Caterpillar’ story board. Doing this in my own classroom would allow for every child to stay engaged in the story while also building on the whole idea of labeling. I liked the poster board with all the bugs, and ways that it would encourage all the children to use descriptors; however, I might have made a list of some adjectives, to really help build up the child’s vocabulary. Overall, excellent work from the all of the groups.

My Group: I really had a wonderful experience working on this project with my group. We were the last group to be able to choose our topic so we got the ‘leftovers’; however, I really liked the topic and feel that everyone in my group did very well and did justice to the topic "Language Development". I personally worked on the ELL English Language Learners perspective within early literacy. I feel like in order for anyone to really understand ELL students we really need to understand how very complicated the process of language development is, and just how many different factors play into the child learning to communicate through language. What I really enjoyed learning about with this topic was just how similar the language development process is between infants and diverse students who are trying to learn the English language. I think that a key component to great group projects is cooperation and structure with in the whole group and I am very happy to say that our group had this. I feel that every person contributed equally, and that everyone walked away from this project, with new knowledge. Overall, I feel that my group did very well, and that I am pleased with the outcome of my project.

My Reflection of the NAEYC.ORG I think that the naeyc.org website can be a very useful tool for me to integrate and use all the time as a teacher. It has so many different links to all sorts of different websites, all of which will benefit me in my career. I love that through this website I can look and find all sorts of different articles and WebPages that will help me whatever I am looking for. I noticed that in this website, even if you are not an existing member, you can still read some of their articles that they have published in their magazine. I think that in order to be a really great teacher, we need to really know what we are talking about, and this site gives me that ability. I love that with this website, they have a link that is totally dedicated to early childhood educators/ professionals. I think that on some websites that I looked at the teacher does not exist until the child makes it to kindergarten, and I feel like this is a misconception. By the time the child makes it to kindergarten, some of the most valuable of learning has already taken place. That is why I love this website; they have information that will really benefit all teachers.

The Army Wall: This week while in class, we went outside because the Army was on campus promoting the ROTC. While I fully respect and understand the purpose of the military, which is simply not a route that I am wanting to take in my own life. Either way however, as a class we did go outside and look at some of the activities that the military had set up to get us college students excited about the military. The activity that I chose to participate in was the climbing of the wall. I think that I probably should have looked at the wall for what it was, a challenge, especially because I had forgotten to wear my tennis shoes, so I was going to have to climb it in boots! I did my best though, and I made it to the top of the wall, not very fast but the top none-the-less. I think that this activity taught me that there is a way if there is a will, and I had the will. This was an absolute challenge for me, however, after I finished I was really happy that I had participated in the activity. It reaffirmed for me why it is I am in college getting a degree in education.

Here's What I Think: The law says that as a teacher I am in loco parentis, Latin for "in the place of a parent". Although I see why this might be said, I think that leaving it at this would be wrong. I don’t want to be the child’s “other” parent I want to be the child’s “other good parent”. As I am going to be a teacher of young children, I think that it is important to reflect on who I am going to be to these children. Teaching the ABC’s, teaching addition/subtraction, or teaching science, are all very important aspects of my job as a teacher, however, they pale in comparison to my underlying job. My underlying job is to keep children happy, healthy and safe. Most likely, other than their parents, I will be seeing that child more often than any other adult, and it is my job to make sure that every child is doing okay. I want to be the teacher that my students trust and know that they can come to if there is a problem. Too often in this world children’s real problems go unnoticed. I feel that it is my job to make sure that I am paying attention. Paying attention to things that are major and minor. No one likes talking about abuse, but unfortunately it is a reality of the world that we live in, and often it is the children that pay the price when people don’t pay attention. Hunger is another area of concern, which I need to be aware of. Often, children go without food, because there simply is not enough to go around. I think that I need to speak up when there is a concern, even if it is just telling families about school programs, like free breakfast. Children need to feel as though they are members of my classroom community. I think that if I am going to be who I want to be for children, then I need to make sure that every one of my students feels like they belong. So many children are ridiculed and harassed in today’s classrooms, and this needs to stop. I want every one of my kids to feel special, and also to recognize that each of their classmates is special. Overall, I want to be someone that my students can count on. I want them to feel that, no matter what is going on elsewhere; with me they have a guarantee. I want my kids to trust that I want what is best for each of them, and that they will know that I care about them.

Final Reflection: Over the past ten weeks I have really started to see myself grow as an educator. In this class, Early Literacy, I learned a great deal about ways that I can introduce language into the lives of children. I think that people tend to see books and reading and literacy as something that happens when the child enters school. I think that this class has really helped me see how important it is to get the message out there that literacy is something that children need to have in their lives from day one. Children’s minds are like sponges, and if parents wait until the child enters school to introduce literature to the child, then already, at five or at six, that child is at a huge disadvantage. I think that one of the most important ideas that were cemented into my head in this class was the notion that children need options and they need to see words. I think that this idea was really locked in for me when we went to the day care and there was an inadequate number of books and writing around. I think we should be sending the message to children that books are wonderful and fun to look at and read, and not the message that they are off limits and not okay to touch. Furthermore I think that if we want children to be successful readers from a young age, we need to surround them in a place that is conducive to this, and that is where labeling come into play. If we want children to learn to recognize that words have meaning, than truly, they need to see words with objects. If we want them to recognize the word ‘door’ then there should be a label on every door with the word, and the teacher needs to say the word every day that the children go to it. I learned so many ideas like this in this class; I am so excited to implement them in my own classroom! I feel that my attendance in this class was excellent, I came to this class every day except once, and that was due to the flu. I feel that I actively participated in the classroom discussions and conversations. I think that I also was actively listening during class, (I don’t bring my phone to campus )and did what was asked of me. I think that I deserve a 3.8 in this class, because although I really tried my best I might have missed a reflection on the protopage. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to learn so much about early literacy in these past ten weeks!